[Vision2020] The Human Toll

[Tom Hansen]

Courtesy of the July 9, 2012 edition of the Army Times.

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The following U.S. service members died while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom combat operations in Afghanistan, confirmed by the Defense Department from June 22, 2012 through June 28, 2012:

Army Staff Sgt. Matthew J. Leach, 29, of Ferndale, Michigan; assigned to the 1/334th Regiment, 1st Brigade, 104th Training Division (Leader Training), Fraser, Michigan.

Army Staff Sgt. Robert A. Massarelli, 32, of Hamilton, Ohio; assigned to the 96th Transportation Company, 180th Transportation Battalion, 4th Sustainment Brigade, 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), Fort Hood, Texas.

Army 1st Lt. Stephen C. Prasnicki, 24, of Lexington, Virginia; assigned to 4th Battalion, 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, Warner Barracks, Bamberg, Germany.

Army Sgt. James L. Skalberg Jr., 25, of Cullman, Alabama; assigned to 4th Battalion, 1st Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, Fort Bliss, Texas.

Army Sgt. Michael J. Strachota, 28, of White Hall, Arkansas; assigned to the 96th Transportation Company, 180th Transportation Battalion, 4th Sustainment Brigade, 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), Fort Hood, Texas.

June 22, 2012 – June 28, 2012
Killed: 5; Wounded in action: 58

October 10, 2001 – June 28, 2012
Killed: 2,013; Wounded in action: 16,584

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National Guard (in Federal Status) and Reserve Activated
(as of June 26, 2012)

http://www.defense.gov/news/d20120626ngr.pdf

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And the beat goes on . . .

“Bring 'em Home"
http://www.tomandrodna.com/Songs/Bring_em_Home.mp3

"If you love this land of the free
Bring 'em home, bring 'em home
Bring them back from overseas
Bring 'em home, bring 'em home

It will make the politicians sad, I know
Bring 'em home, bring 'em home
They wanna tangle with their foe
Bring 'em home, bring 'em home

They wanna test their grand theories
Bring 'em home, bring 'em home
With the blood of you and me
Bring 'em home, bring 'em home

Now we'll give no more brave young lives
Bring 'em home, bring 'em home
For the gleam in someone else's eyes
Bring 'em home, bring 'em home

The men will cheer and the boys will shout
Bring 'em home, bring 'em home
Yeah and we will all turn out
Bring 'em home, bring 'em home

The church bells will ring with joy
Bring 'em home, bring 'em home
To welcome our darlin' girls and boys
Bring 'em home, bring 'em home

We will lift our voice and sound
Bring 'em home, bring 'em home
Yeah, when Johnny comes marching home
Bring 'em home, bring 'em home."

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Pro patria,

Tom Hansen
SFC, US Army (Retired)
Moscow, Idaho

"Patriotism is not a short and frenzied outburst of emotion but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime."

-- Adlai E. Stevenson